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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 354 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 354

 Honoring the valuable contributions of Catholic schools in the United 
                                States.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 26, 2006

 Mr. Vitter submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
        the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Honoring the valuable contributions of Catholic schools in the United 
                                States.

Whereas Catholic schools in the United States have received international 
        acclaim for academic excellence while providing students with lessons 
        that extend far beyond the classroom;
Whereas Catholic schools present a broad curriculum that emphasizes the lifelong 
        development of moral, intellectual, physical, and social values in the 
        young people of the United States;
Whereas Catholic schools in the United States today educate 2,420,590 students 
        and maintain a student-to-teacher ratio of 15 to 1;
Whereas the faculty members of Catholic schools teach a highly diverse body of 
        students;
Whereas more than 27.1 percent of school children enrolled in Catholic schools 
        are minorities, and more than 13.6 percent are non-Catholics;
Whereas Catholic schools saved the United States $19,000,000,000 in educational 
        funding during fiscal year 2005;
Whereas Catholic schools produce students strongly dedicated to their faith, 
        values, families, and communities by providing an intellectually 
        stimulating environment rich in spiritual, character, and moral 
        development; and
Whereas in the 1972 pastoral message concerning Catholic education, the National 
        Conference of Catholic Bishops stated, ``Education is one of the most 
        important ways by which the Church fulfills its commitment to the 
        dignity of the person and building of community. Community is central to 
        education ministry, both as a necessary condition and an ardently 
        desired goal. The educational efforts of the Church, therefore, must be 
        directed to forming persons-in-community; for the education of the 
        individual Christian is important not only to his solitary destiny, but 
        also the destinies of the many communities in which he lives.'': Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event 
        cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association 
        and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that 
        recognizes the vital contributions of thousands of Catholic 
        elementary and secondary schools in the United States; and
            (2) congratulates Catholic schools, students, parents, and 
        teachers across the United States for their ongoing 
        contributions to education, and for the vital role they play in 
        promoting and ensuring a brighter, stronger future for this 
        Nation.
                                 <all>
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